The Board has determined that the Veteran's AL amyloidosis may be service-connected on a presumptive basis due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. However, a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether this condition constitutes an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new medical opinion was necessary to determine if the Veteran's AL amyloidosis qualifies as a 'qualifying chronic disability' under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a).
- Claimed conditions
- AL amyloidosis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26026470
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26026470.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to AL amyloidosis, which was presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's death certificate noted that AL amyloidosis contributed substantially or materially to his death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is related to the effective dates for SMC benefits. The Board has determined that these issues are remanded due to insufficient information regarding his employment status prior to August 10, 2022.,The Veteran was granted SMC based on aid and attendance as of May 4, 2018, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114, subsection (p) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(3) at the rate intermediate between subsection (l) and subsection (m) based on bilateral nuclear contact with primary open-angle glaucoma as of May 4, 2018. The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.,The Veteran was granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114, subsection (p) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f)(3) at the rate equal to subsection (m) with additional disability of obstructive sleep apnea as of August 10, 2022. The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, hypertension, and AL amyloidosis due to an incomplete duty to assist regarding potential herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding private medical records that may support the Veteran's claims.
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